Sari – Recreating a Woman’s Identity

“The Sari it is said was born on the loom of a fanciful weaver. He dreamt of a woman. The drape of her tumbling hair. The color of her many moods. The shimmer of her tears. The softness of her touch. All these he wove together. He wove for many yards. ….and smiled and smiled”

Yes, a sari is undoubtedly a quintessential wardrobe staple of every woman. This is the only unstitched garment that has survived through ages. It has gained a glamorous status over the years.

Available in various fibres, designs & colors, women drape saris differently to show the cultural diversity in India.

Sari marks its zenith in the Indus Valley Civilization decorating the woman of the time in grace & dignity. Some women statues were recovered from Harappa & Mohenjo-Daro cities , which is evident of the fact that the girls during that period wore saris. And they wore it almost like a trouser. This was mainly done to aid the temple dancers of the time.

With the coming of the Muslims, the clothes were stitched and ghagara as well as petticoats were introduced in India to cover the woman in shame & sophistication.

Gradually, sari took Different style of draping sarisits own shape and regional variations in & around the Indian subcontinent.

Beginning from down south of India, the early Keralite women were found donned in just a two piece of garment, consisting of a shawl and a lungi. However, the modern women in various parts of South India prefer to dress themselves up traditionally, occasionally, yet fashionably marking the South Indian roots.

The early Bengali women draped the cotton weaves in a traditional (aanth Poure) style by draping them without pleats. This was a mark of aristocracy, symbol of status, taste of aesthetic fashion and of course legend of Bengal handloom with a bunch of key to the edge of the pallu. However, the modern Bengali women now want to relive the “grandma moment” by wrapping themselves into the traditional (aanth Poure) fashion occasionally in schools or in the offices.

The Gujarati style, also known as “seedha pallu” is also commonly followed by the women in the northern states like, UP, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan & Bihar as a prove of their good looks, intelligence & energy. In case your sari has an elaborate border, this style will work wonders for you.

The Parsi girls, on the other hand , is considered to become “women” the day they wear a sari. Their style of wearing saris in known as “Brahmika sari”.

A Sari , therefore is something which carries the colors of India. The weavers are extensively inspired by the rich cultural heritage of India for making the sari a canvas of creativity. The fabric, pattern, embroidery and colors are mostly dictated by the old tradition which also grabs the attention of the women of different class & status.

This ethnic wear which has beautified the women & recreated her identity since time immemorial, may not essentially be her regular wear, but it will always remain the most important part of her wardrobe perfect for all occasions, reasons & seasons.